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Spears' parents are expected to testify against ex-manager

By Anthony McCartney Associated Press

Posted:
10/13/2012 10:54:36 PM MDT

Updated:
10/13/2012 10:55:44 PM MDT

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In this Feb. 11, 2012, file photo, singer Britney Spears arrives at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis honoring Richard Branson in Beverly Hills, Calif. Testimony is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in a libel, defamation and breach of contract case filed against Spears and her parents by the singer s former confidante and manager, Osama "Sam" Lutfi. He is seeking a share of Spears fortune and claims he has was unfairly vilified by the singer s mother in her 2008 book, which accused Lutfi of drugging and isolating the pop star before she had to be hospitalized.

LOS ANGELES -- Britney Spears' darkest days are about to be revisited in a Los Angeles courtroom, but not by the resurgent pop singer.

Instead, jurors will begin hearing testimony this week on claims by Spears' former manager that he was vilified and unfairly blamed for the singer's public meltdown more than four years ago. Spears' parents are defendants and will likely testify, but the panel won't hear directly from the Grammy winner.

Former Spears confidante Sam Lutfi is seeking millions of dollars from Spears and her family, claiming her mother's book lied about him drugging and isolating the pop superstar. He is also seeking a portion of the singer's profits, claiming he was a key player in her 2007 album "Blackout" and had the right to serve as her manager for years.

Instead, the singer spent much of that time recovering under a court-ordered conservatorship, with her father and fiancé continuing to exert control over her personal life. It is highly unlikely the star will be a witness during the trial, although a judge has said she will consider a request by Lutfi's attorney to call Spears as a witness mid-trial if necessary.

A probate judge overseeing Spears' conservatorship has ruled that the singer's caretakers should not allow her to testify "under any circumstances." Lutfi's attorney has cited the singer's record tour and her current role as a judge on Fox's "The X Factor" as reasons for why the singer should testify, but he may have to settle for the testimony of Spears' divorced parents, father Jamie Spears and mother Lynne Spears.

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Jury selection began Friday and will continue on Tuesday, with opening statements expected later in the week.

The case is the culmination of years of acrimony between Lutfi and Spears' family and conservators, who successfully obtained a restraining order against him to keep him from contacting the singer or trying to intervene in her life. The order has expired, but conservatorship attorneys are seeking repayment for more than $93,000 in legal fees -- a judgment Lutfi is appealing.

Lutfi sued in February 2009, roughly a year after Spears was hospitalized and placed under the conservatorship to take control of her health and finances. The move by Jamie Spears came after months of erratic behavior by his daughter.

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